GM and LG team up on electric vehicles

Auto maker, General Motors and LG group will work together to design and engineer vehicles thanks to a new partnership that extends to LG's earlier work of the GM in lithium ion batteries.  Formerly LG delivered battery in the Chevrolet Volt, the Opel Ampera, then demo fleet Chevrolet Cruze electric vehicles.

According to the company their goal is to reduce costs and time required to build electric cars.

LG will cover half the cost for new EVs and will work together with engineers from GM for joint work on components of the vehicle structure and architecture. LG will also be a GM supplier for components which he allowed to sell other auto makers. This means that this partnership will be good for the electric vehicle industry as a whole and not just GM.

The case comes at a time when the United States, automakers are under pressure to raise corporate average fuel economy (CAFE), the recent agreement. By the end of 2025, they must meet Cafe 54.5 mpg (23.2 km/l) – purpose, which will include measures to improve internal combustion and diesel engines, for the most part. But GM said that electric vehicles should play "central role" in achieving the objectives of the Café, too.

There is no deadline for launch vehicles.

LG Group is the third largest conglomerate in South Korea, which produces electronics, chemicals and telecommunication products and operates subsidiaries of LG Electronics, LG Telecom, Zenith Electronics and LG Chem ...

Read More

View the original article here

FlyKly electric bikes come in San Francisco

Electric bike maker FlyKly brings his stylish, powerful and eco-friendly bicycles in San Francisco after the fountain start in New York earlier this summer. Company that opened a shop on 20 June, sold his entire stock of bikes in July at a pop-up shop in Soho. Now bikes are in San Francisco.

Calling these things "bicycle" seems strange, though the term conjures up streamers with the rudder and woven baskets strapped to the front. Instead, these "bike" look like scooters. But since bikes don't go miles, you don't need a license to drive them.

New bikes come in two versions: a vintage and modern, each sport 100% electric lithium ion battery. For only $ 's electricity cost you get 1000 miles away, said FlyKly, 40 miles recharging. (Battery reaches full charge within a few hours). The battery is removable, so you can charge it in anywhere you want. And if you ever run out of battery, you can manually pedal to keep going.

As conventional bicycles bikes can be parked and FlyKly tied fenceposts, bicycle rack, sidewalks and parking garages offer spaces for bicycles. Steering wheel and the rear wheels locked parking lot. And just in case the bikes also include a GPS tracking system to find your bike if he ever starts to move, if you're not on it.

Yes and if you're wondering "Kly", is a Greek word which means "permanent energy or movement".

FlyKly sells bikes for $1900 and delivery is free in the United States. You can read more about bicycles at the company's website here: www.flykly.com.

View the original article here

Ford to sell solar panel system along with electric cars

Ford Motor Company is teaming up with solar panels on the basis of the San Jose maker of SunPower to offer option on the roof of the solar system, which will be sold along with the upcoming EV Ford focus. "Drive green for life", as it is called, includes installation of solar panels on the customer home.

These panels will not be used only to charge the focus, however. They really help offset the cost that comes with the need to charge the car, what most electric car owners do every night.

Solar panels 2.5 kilowatt system compensates for the cost of about 1000 miles per month, "said Ford. After the federal tax rebates, the cost would be around $ 10000. Some local and State benefits may also be available, but it's still pretty expensive system.

At least Ford and SunPower were relevant demographic. Parameter must refer to the environmentalists, who want to buy an electric car, but don't want to feel guilty about consuming all additional electricity to charge it. In the end it is not this "green" to drive electric when charging your car with the use of fossil fuels.

The solar system consists of 147-square-foot rooftop panels. There are 11 panels, size 4 to 2 feet. Customers will be able to monitor the work of the panels, online and through specially iPhone app. SunPower also provides you with a 25-year warranty for the system that is installed on the clients home Best Buy Geek Squad. Best buy also has a contract with Ford for installing home Chargers.

Pricing and exact launch date for the new Ford Focus 2012 is not yet available, but the car will go on sale first in California and New York in the 4th quarter of 2011. Ford also plans to start 5 other electric or hybrid electric models in 2012 in North America and in Europe by 2013.

View the original article here

This electric plane is powered by its own solar hangar

Interested in greener flying enthusiasts to aviation can put Elektra one to their wishes. PC-Aero in electric aircraft can fly up to three hours on a single charge with a cruising speed of 100 mph. Tariffication is happening inside a hangar, included a solar-powered plane expected purchase price of $ 145.000.

The plane successfully completed its first flight in the spring of last year and will go on sale in the middle of next year, prior to certification as a new ultralight aircraft class in Germany. He recently won the electric planes of Lindbergh for aviation innovation.

Designed for maximum effectiveness, the ship is made of light Fibre composite. With battery weight about 440 pounds of aircraft and engine is 13.4 kW (17.96 HP).

Don't expect to invite your friends on board the aircraft, however: only one seat and the maximum cargo weight – the pilot included is 220 pounds.

Elektra one reduces not only on air pollution, noise pollution: its engineers say the airplane produces one fifth of the noise emitted by another aircraft and one half of the noise produced by regular extra.

See aircraft in action here:

View the original article here

HaloIPT wireless speed-charged electric machines

Those who resist buying an electric car, because Charging stations are less ubiquitous than gas stations or figuring out how to charge your car at home it seems difficult, one less excuse to go green. The new system from the British HaloIPT car will start to charge wirelessly using induction.

Wireless energy transfer is a car battery for the current charge, similar to the concept of recharging an electric toothbrush, but with much more energy. Each car is equipped with a car that is ready to gain power.

This technology can also work for moving vehicles. The company cooperates with Drayson Racing technology to test drive technology that uses inductive power transfer via transmitters placed in the Hippodrome. Cars must not be directly over the transmitter to produce electricity, and they must be parked for so HaloIPT said that the system will work even when drivers swerve around their competitors.

It will be a while before racing car sees the start of a line: HaloIPT and Drayson, the plan should be ready for showtime to the end of 2015. But HaloIPT hopes to use what he learns with Drayson applied technology to the needs of car drivers do not race.

At the same time, Wireless charging fans can ogle on stationary system model, featured in the pilot 102EX Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The company sets out his vision in this video:

View the original article here

Japanese Professor reveals free rare electric car (video)

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers with Japan technology and Web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent Internet and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is Saint lingual, holds an MBA and a doctorate in economics. Serkan ... ? Read More

The prices of rare earth elements has gone through the roof in recent years, with China, mainly the monopolization of the market for these rare substances (the country currently produces a whopping 97 percent of all rare earth elements, used globally). However, in the area of electric vehicles, dependence on rare earths may soon be a thing of the past: Prof. Nobukazu Hoshi lab, Tokyo University of natural sciences has developed an electric car that does not require any rare earths.

The current prototype (altered Mazda Roadster since 1999) eats 400V/9.5 kWh hybrid car engine. Lithium battery consists of five modules that change the size and weight of 20 kg 215x335x210mm. Professor Hoshi had developed the so-called switched reluctance motor that boasts a 50 kW-rare earth elements needed.

In the video, embedded below (shot Diginfonews in Tokyo), Professor, explains the technology behind Motor and points out there is room for improvement (in particular, he wants to increase torque and energy efficiency and the reduction of noise and vibration).

However, a pretty impressive achievement for the laboratory of the University (Toyota works on rare earth elements-free engine for electric cars, too).

Here's the video (in English):

View the original article here

Buying an electric car

This is a guest post is a venture capitalist David Cowan. David recently purchased a Nissan leaf after the car is less than two years.

After 3.5 years I finally reunited community car owners.

Since February 2008 and last week I had a car less. I borrowed and rented cars, taxis and cars and occasionally biked. I am also bummed many attractions (thank you-you know who you are). It started when expired warranty on my fantasy of the German Gas Guzzler; I sold the thing and really never took the time to shop around for a replacement – who has time for that?

I felt much more excited about the prospect of driving electric sedan to be greener, faster, easier and cheaper fuel. The most important thing I would never kill ten minutes, stopping at a gas – who has time for that? So I put my name in the lists for the Tesla model S, Fisker Karma, Nissan leaf or Chevy Volt decided to wait for one to be built. Three years later, I got calls from Fisker, Nissan and Chevy, and it's time to take a decision.

After examining the options and driving, it was fairly easy to buy sheet for these eight reasons:

1. compared with other, leaf gets twice the range of the battery charge: 100 miles, or 85 miles from AC engine. (Connect car and adds about 15 seconds in a day in your everyday life, or 5 minutes per month – about half the time we spend on gas pumps).

2. from a purely motor (not hybrid petrol engine) worksheet is nimbler, less fragile, and legal to drive in California carpool lanes so I can bypass traffic jams Highway 101 – WHTFT?

3. Driving in electric mode (without the aid of a hybrid gasoline engine) is surprisingly quiet and smooth (not transfer). Even at 80 miles per hour acceleration is immediate and impressive.

4 Sheet sends as smoothly as the Lexus, and small wheels turn on a dime.

5. only sheet has an open, comfortable seats with ample leg room, head to the front and back (optional, if you have children)

6. only sheet transports 5 passengers (optional, if you have three kids)!

7 sheet is the largest of the trunk and rear fold down for more cargo space.

8. final expenditure 3/4 as much as the Volt and 1/3 as much as Karma. You will receive at least $ 7500 in tax benefits, offset by the cost of $ 220 volt 2.000 home docking station.

These reasons explain why the Nissan leaf now outsells package. I can think of only three good reasons why you can buy one of the other cars:

1 sheet of clean electric motor is not a problem for the two car families in this rare day once a month, when you drive more than 100 miles, you can always use a gas Guzzler instead (Honda Odysseys are awesome). But without this backup one car household will find volts more practical (though expensive and cramped).

2. If you love driving massive, heavy sports car that sit low to the ground and you've got $ 100 k to burn (as these guys), then you may prefer a gorgeous design of Karma. It has the appearance and luxury car muscle with growling engine, bucket seats and a beautiful wood/leather interiors. (A worksheet is all plastic). Having said that, Karma is like a sports car at lower speeds, but on the highway I found it quite slow compared to the worksheet. Karma processed Highway acceleration almost as sheet only when in quiet mode, which means that the petrol engine is turned off. (You may be disappointed, as I was to learn that people can still see you in quiet mode).

3. Stephen Colbert will tease you for driving sheet.

All three machines are chock full of gizmos we all love (rear view camera, keyless entry, navigation system, XM Radio, Bluetooth, heated seats, ...), so there is no reason to stick with petrol. Sheet even comes with a cool iPhone app for remote control battery charger and climate control.

So I'm zipping around in my leaves for a week now and absolutely love it. Even after three years he was worth the wait.

View the original article here

Sony plans to make batteries for electric vehicles

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers with Japan technology and Web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent Internet and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is Saint lingual, holds an MBA and a doctorate in economics. Serkan ... ? Read More

There is probably nobody left doubting that electric vehicles in the future will be a huge market, and now it seems that Sony agreed, too. The company announced yesterday it will make lithium ion batteries for electric cars and hybrids "in the middle of this decade."

Vice President of Sony said his company expects that demand for such batteries sharply in years to come, adding big s ready to build special plants in Japan and other countries, if necessary. Details are scarce at the moment, but the first prototype batteries for electric vehicles, which was shown to the press yesterday measures 257 x 182 mm and it boasts a long life.

According to reports in several Japanese newspapers today Sony has already started offering their battery life for large electric car in Japan and other countries.

In the figure above shows the Tesla, which uses batteries Panasonic (Panasonic is also an investor).

A Mainichi Shimbun [JP]

View the original article here